United States Navy Public Affairs Association

"On ship or on base, in war and in peace, at home and around the world, members of the U.S. Navy Public Affairs community are some of the most talented global communications professionals I have ever met."​- Rear Adm.Thomas J. Jurkowsky, USN (ret.), President

Rear Admiral Newell was a nuclear SWO when he assumed leadership of our community. Although never having been a PAO, he definitely had the energy of one—and that energy was contagious. That energy also translated into leadership, and I feel very fortunate to have had the privilege of working for him as his executive assistant when he assumed office in 1980.

The PAO community quickly ‘adopted’ him as one of our own. Although he did not know us personally or what we really did when he arrived, he quickly got to know us; saw our value; spoke about that value on the E-Ring; and became the PA community’s greatest cheerleader. Needless to say, he was a quick-study, and we should feel grateful for the leadership he provided us.

On behalf of the entire U.S. Navy Public Affairs Association, I want to express my sorrow to Rear Admiral Newell’s son, Rob. Rob, many of you know, is a retired 1650 Captain and currently serves in CHINFO as the director of Community Outreach. I think it speaks volumes that Rob wanted to join our community.

To Rob and the entire Newell family, please know the respect we had for your Dad. We have a deep respect for his service to the Public Affairs community and our country.

Pasted below is a message that Rear Admiral Charlie Brown passed to former CHINFOs on Rear Admiral Newell’s passing.